Hard steering after new engine

[crownvic05]

Hey guys hope all is well,

Had some work done to my 05 vic lx sport. I rebuilt an engine using a 09 p71 block with 58k miles. Internals on engine is all stock as pistons and crank. Everything esle was replaced from oil pump to modular head shop heads, stage 2 cams and springs, edelbrock intake and fuel rails, msd coils, SW headers and exhaust, tcp torque converter and so on. Engine needs to be remotely tuned by the one and only marty of course. Only 2 issues im having after the engine install is stiffer steering and the god damn air bag light on. As per the air bag, is giving me code 34. The steering is my concern as i need to get it resolved for tunning as i will need to take the car out for a few drives. Steering was perfectly 100% fine before i started this work.

Can it be the pump or rack? I did have to push the heavy car with with engine installed out of the garage to a yard with 4 guys for half a block. Of course couldnt crank as nothing was hooked up yet. Could i had demage something in that process? Horn works so im guessing the clock spring is out of the question? Steering fluid is good.
Anything i should check for?

Thanks in advance.

[justbob]

Check the plug on the rack. Particularly the one more towards the passenger side on the lines coming off the rack. Sounds like the speed sensitive is being sensitive LOL

This also ties into the speedo at the trans IIRC. Just check all connections, something isn’t fully clicked on I’m sure.


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[crownvic05]

Check the plug on the rack. Particularly the one more towards the passenger side on the lines coming off the rack. Sounds like the speed sensitive is being sensitive LOL

This also ties into the speedo at the trans IIRC. Just check all connections, something isn’t fully clicked on I’m sure.


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Theres more then one plug? Cant remember off the top of my head. I will check the plugs, unplug them and clean them and re-install. Hopefully this will solve that issue.

[Grimrepairman]

What Bob said.
How long was the car sitting? Steering shaft may be sticky in the universal joints. That was the problem with my brothers CVPI. new intermediate shaft and the steering is back to normal.

[Mr. Man]

Sounds silly, but are the tires sufficiently inflated?

[crownvic05]

Ok guys figured it out and problem solved for now. Happens that a wire was ripped off the plug. It is now.working but i will need to remove the plug and fix it the right way.

Thank you all guys.

Now need to figure out the air bag code 34.

[RF Overlord]

Damn there's a lot of conflicting information on airbag codes. Most of the ones I found said passenger seat belt pre-tensioner, but some said driver's side. Look for any cables under the seat(s) and make sure they're clicked in.

[crownvic05]

Damn there's a lot of conflicting information on airbag codes. Most of the ones I found said passenger seat belt pre-tensioner, but some said driver's side. Look for any cables under the seat(s) and make sure they're clicked in.

You are right on the conflicting info. I habe checked and double checked and nothing. I might just go ahead and remove.the seats and inspect everything.

[justbob]

Rule of thumb > Go back to everything you touched before the light came on.

Could be as simple as a wire pinched between the engine and trans.


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